Weston prepared for Ebola

Here are some common questions and answers.

1)      What preparations if any have been made at the hospital regarding the potential threat of the Ebola virus?

We regularly receive guidance and updates from the Dept of Health and Public Health England and are taking their advice as to any specific preparations required by the hospital.  We have a written policy for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) events which has been in place for some time.  We will also be participating in any specific exercising to test our arrangements as led by NHS England.

2)      Has any extra training been given to any staff in relation to the virus?

We have updated staff within our Emergency Department on the use of personal protective equipment, in particular masks. 

3)      Has any Ebola testing been carried out in the past month?

No.

4)      What measures are in place at the hospital to deal with any potential Ebola outbreak in your area?

We have a team who would lead on our response to any chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incident and we have a written and ratified CBRN policy in place.  Although we anticipate it as being highly unlikely that an outbreak would occur at Weston General Hospital particularly with screening of certain incoming passengers from infected countries at major airports and ports.

5)      What advice do you have for anyone who suspects they may have contracted the virus?

There is very useful and clear advice provided on the NHS Choices website if members of the public are concerned.  If you have recently returned from one of the affected countries and have symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat or rash, you should stay at home and immediately telephone 111 or 999 and explain that you have recently visited West Africa.  

There are a number of other quite common illnesses that present with similar symptoms in the early stages (such as flu, typhoid fever and malaria) so proper medical assessment is really important to ensure you get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Ebola is highly unlikely unless you’ve come into contact with the blood or bodily fluid of an infected person, for example if you were working in healthcare in infected regions.

Please find a link to the Public Health England (PHE) website which has further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/349569/01_09_14__Ebola_QA.pdf